The Good News About Easter
Bible Verse
Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on. (CEV) 1 Peter 1:3
As you wake on Easter morning, you may feel surrounded by new things. New dresses and bowties for your children, new baskets, new pictures on Instagram. But when your family reads the resurrection story this year, are you experiencing it in a new way?
As a family, dive into the truth of the first Easter; to the way the resurrected Jesus changed the lives of everyone who encountered him. After all, the good news wasn’t just going to last that Sunday. It has transformed the lives of everyone who has grasped its truth, and it will continue to do so into eternity! As followers of Jesus, we live the rest of our days as resurrection people. How can we best exemplify this new life in Christ to our kids?
Read and discuss these encounters with the risen Jesus. Put yourselves in the shoes of the people in these stories and imagine their thoughts, feelings, and newfound hope in the risen Jesus. Allow the Easter story to permeate your hearts in new and exciting ways.
While Mary Magdalene wept, Jesus came to her. How do you think she felt when she heard Jesus say her name and she recognized him? How did Jesus give her hope? What do you think her friends said when she told them the good news? (John 20:11-18)
When the disciples met the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus, they thought he was just another traveler. When they recognized him, they ran seven miles to tell the others! How does this teach us to respond to the good news of the resurrection? (Luke 24:13-35)
Thomas did not believe the others when they told him Jesus had risen. Have you ever had a hard time believing something you haven’t seen with your own eyes? How did Jesus turn Thomas’ doubt to faith? Do you think Thomas told this story to others so they would believe in Jesus? (John 20:24-29)
The disciples went out fishing, returning to their old jobs. But Jesus came and revealed to them that this was not the end; it was just the start of their new lives as eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus. How does the knowledge of the risen Jesus transform our day to day lives? (John 21:1-19)
As Christians, we have died to our old selves and have been resurrected with Christ. Our salvation allows us to live out the joy, truth, love, and light of the resurrection to do the good work God has prepared in advance for us to do. As a family, celebrate that when we believe, we are resurrected people, changed inside and out, for God’s glory and for good.
Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire's article Living Our Easter Identity: How Christ's Death and Resurrection Changes Us
Areo Keller-Donahue
As soon as Areo could pick up a popsicle stick, she was making puppets and putting on plays that shared her faith with her neighbors. Areo grew up with a strong interest in musical theatre and earned her BFA at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Areo was led to use artistic gifts to share the gospel with young ones, and she became involved in ministry. She has worked in children's ministry at Redeemer Upper West Side and North Way Christian Community and is currently developing a musical live-action series that celebrates faith and fun. Areo and her husband live in Pittsburgh, where they enjoy spending time with their families and adorable cat, Daisy.
